Susanne Christ from Kaskaskia College presented to the BOE
some concepts and request an official action of support for their efforts to
build the Trenton Regional Education Center.Trenton is for the Western Clinton County population.Breese has the most heads in classes at
Trenton.Associates degrees are now
attainable at the extension centers.The
Trenton building used to be Illnois Power building however they have outgrown
it.The requested resolution allows KC
to use our name on the brochures, showing support.A motion to adopt resolution of support for
the Trenton Regional Education Center was made by Mike Nettemeier, second by
Rick Taphorn.Roll call vote:Aye –Mary Lou Voss, Dave Wellen, Mike
Nettemeier, Mike Strieker, Tim Richter, Rick Taphorn, Tina Winkeler.Nay – None

We are making slow progress with outstanding student fees.We have sent a letter to all seniors who have
large bills in excess of $300 to offer an opportunity at payment arrangements. (Sent
18 letters.)A second collection letter will be sent to all
with outstanding fees at the end of the semester. There was a Financial Aid
seminar held here at Central presented by the Illinois Student Assistance
Commission on October 23rd.This was in
conjunction with the Parent Teacher Conferences that same evening. The program reviewed the completion of
financial aid forms, when and how to apply, scholarships, grants, work study
programs, and other information necessary to help parents pay for
post-secondary pursuits.Ms. Trisha
Lohman coordinated the event.On Friday,
October 26th we had a Teacher’s Institute here at Central with a series of
meetings among our faculty members.We
listened to presentations on Drug and Alcohol Use, Teen Depression and Suicide,
and Technology and Cyberbullying.

Mr. Meyer discussed the ISBE Focused Monitoring Visit for
Special Education services that we have been selected for here at Central.We will be hosting an ISBE team here from
December 11-13.The visit can be likened
to an “audit” of our assignment of students in their least restrictive
environment.The “red flag” shows up
when the % of students are spending 80% of their time in special education
classroom.They will file a report after
they interview the staff and administrators.

Mrs. Cindy Spencer presented information regarding our
library system.She is using a new
instrument this year.Cindy discussed
the Learning Environment Evaluation form. She also discussed the online Student
Resource program via our website.

The Building Committee held its second meeting on Monday,
November 13th and reviewed some potential facility projects for the Summer of
2013.There were 4 different projects –
electrical panel upgrades, lighting upgrades, lockset upgrades, renovations to
commons area.The members of the
committee recommended to renovate the commons area.We currently have a good situation with
O&M fund and/or Life Safety fund.Working Cash reserve could also help us.A motion to authorize the preparation of specification and letting of
bids for 2013 summer project for the renovation of commons area was made by
Dave Wellen, second by Tina Winkeler.Roll call vote:Aye –Mary Lou
Voss, Dave Wellen, Mike Nettemeier, Mike Strieker, Tim Richter, Rick Taphorn,
Tina Winkeler.Nay – None

Mr. Meyer discussed the first Joint Review Board meeting for
the city of Breese for the Tax Increment Finance Agreement (TIF #2) they are
currently developing.Membership and
offices of the Board were established and the plan for the TIF Agreement was presented
including all details of the program.All taxing bodies were present at the meeting.Our support of the TIF Agreement is being
sought at this meeting. Their rep talked about the plan.It is a site specific TIF, undeveloped and is
23 acres in size.If no building takes
place there, we lose nothing.The plan
is a 23 year plan.A motion to authorize
a vote of support for TIF #2 at upcoming Joint Review Board meeting was made by
Tina Winkeler, second by Tim Richter.Roll call vote:Aye –Mary Lou
Voss, Dave Wellen, Mike Nettemeier, Mike Strieker, Tim Richter, Rick Taphorn,
Tina Winkeler.Nay – None

Becky Boeschen and Mr. Meyer worked to develop a preliminary
tax levy.(The 2012 Tax Levy is for
funding to be collected in 2013.)We are
fortunate that our estimated assessed valuation in the district continues to
grow.(It is likely to grow again this
year.)We did consider a reduction in
the levy for the Tort and Immunity Fund this year.We have budgeted and changed our tort fund to
lower the big balance. We have not raised this extension request the past few
years although we are spending more of it for salary in an effort to decrease
the balance in the fund.Our surplus
balance will be exhausted at the completion of FY13 and future extensions will
cover expenses for now.The percentages
have been justified by our risk management plan.After consideration of the circumstances and
the climate of the times for revenue, I do think we need to maintain the
request at the same level for future use.Taking all things into consideration, given the lack of any information
upon which to base our decision, and the inconsistency upon which assessment
has been the past few years, I do not feel we have any choice but to set the
levy at a substantial amount to be secure in our request.Other area school districts are also following
this philosophy and say they are levying high.We have to establish a revenue request that will able to garnish all
funds. This is not a quadrennial year, but a year that they are re-evaluating
the businesses.A motion to approve 2012
Tax Levy of 14.15% and schedule Truth in Taxation for December 17 at 7:15:00 PM
was made by Tim Richter, second by Dave Wellen.Roll call vote:Aye –Mary Lou
Voss, Dave Wellen, Mike Nettemeier, Mike Strieker, Tim Richter, Rick Taphorn,
Tina Winkeler.Nay – None

Mr. Meyer reviewed the Interactive Illinois Report Card
(IIRC) system.The report card showed demographics
of the district, trends in test results, and productivity in comparison to other
local districts.Mr. Meyer also shared
some information regarding the changes that are coming to the entire School
Report Card system next year.Much of
the revision that will be made is centered on the movement away from No Child
Left Behind.The new School Report Card
will contain an entirely different set of data and information for the public’s
review.

Our Cougar Boys’ Soccer Team
competed for the sectional title vs Alton Marquette after defeating Mater Dei
at the regional competition.The Cougars
fell short of winning 1-0.This team advanced further than any other
soccer team in Cougar history.

Central’s Fall Parent/Teacher
conference were held October 23rd.About 50% of the parents came to talk to the teachers and pick up the
report cards.

The Cougar Pep Band performed
at the IHSA State Volleyball Tournament on Friday.The band was selected last spring.Central received many compliments via phone
calls and emails regarding the bands performance that day.

Mrs. Kujawa and Mrs.
Porterfield took 2 students to the Science Quiz Bowl sponsored by APPSI.Jonathan Witte and Sarah Kreke were the
participating students.Jonathan Witte
took 2nd place at the event and won $300.

The Scholar Bowl team is off to
a great start.They won the Clinton
County tournament on November 14th.